This print is part of a collection of proofs of woodcut and linocuts by Haydn Mackey which represents a varied range of the artists work including magazine and music sheet covers, posters and fine prints. Haydn Reynolds Mackey (1883-1979) was a book illustrator and printmaker whose print work consisted of strongly coloured linocuts and woodcuts. Contrary to their appearance the images were hand-coloured. To achieve the appearance of coloured printing Mackay used an interesting technique, hand colouring the image in opaque oil paint on the reverse of the transparent tracing paper on which the image was printed. He then applied the proof to an oatmeal backing paper with the painted side down. Mackay’s prints were never published on a large scale.

Physical description

Symmetrical design featuring heart shape formed of flower motifs behind Cupid and his bow, all surrounded by ribbons above, and below an arched framed vignette of leaf-form decoration.